KEY POINTS
- Sri Lanka secured a vital victory to level the three-match T20 series at one game apiece.
- The hosts posted a formidable total of 189/5 thanks to explosive batting from their top order.
- Matheesha Pathirana led a disciplined bowling attack to stifle England’s powerful chasing lineup.
Sri Lanka produced a clinical performance on Sunday to defeat England in the second T20 International at Pallekele. The victory keeps the three-match series alive after England won the opening encounter on Friday. Following a disappointing start to the tour, the home side displayed remarkable resilience in front of a passionate crowd. The result sets up a highly anticipated series finale scheduled for Tuesday.
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bowl first for the second consecutive match. However, his bowlers struggled to contain the aggressive intent of the Sri Lankan opening pair. Pathum Nissanka set the tone early with a flurry of boundaries against the new ball. Alongside Kamil Mishara, he helped the hosts reach a half-century within the first five overs of the contest.
The momentum continued through the middle overs as Kusal Mendis took charge of the innings. Despite losing partners at key intervals, the Sri Lankan batters maintained a high scoring rate. Charith Asalanka and Pavan Rathnayake provided late fireworks to propel the score to a competitive 189/5. This total marked a significant improvement over their previous outing at the same venue.
England’s chase began with immediate drama as they lost opener Phil Salt in the very first over. Matheesha Pathirana made an instant impact, inducing a false stroke that was safely caught at short third man. Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell attempted to rebuild the innings with a series of adventurous shots. While they kept up with the required run rate, the loss of early wickets hampered their progress.
The Sri Lankan spinners utilized the turning conditions effectively to put the English middle order under pressure. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga bowled with great control, drying up the boundaries during the crucial mid-innings phase. As the required rate climbed toward ten runs per over, England’s batters were forced into risky maneuvers. This desperation led to a succession of wickets that ultimately derailed the pursuit.
The victory marks an important step for Sri Lanka as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. By overcoming a strong England side, they have proven their capability to compete with the world’s best teams. The players will now head into the final match with renewed confidence and home-field momentum. England, meanwhile, will look to address their batting collapses before the series decider.
